Tabcorp Holdings Limited has paid a $158,400 penalty after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found the operator illegally accepted online in‑play sports bets.
An ACMA investigation determined that Tabcorp took 426 in‑play wagers across 32 tennis matches between February 2024 and June 2025. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), online in‑play betting—placing a wager after a sporting event has begun—is prohibited in Australia.
Tabcorp voided all affected bets and refunded customers. The company told the ACMA the breaches stemmed from systems and communication failures involving a third‑party provider.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood noted this marks Tabcorp’s third breach of in‑play betting rules since 2021.
“The law is clear and wagering services must have processes in place to prevent illegal in‑play bets from being accepted,” Ms Lidgerwood said. “Operators may rely on third‑party providers, but they cannot outsource their legal responsibilities. The length of time it took Tabcorp to identify and fix the issue was concerning, and we expect better going forward.”
Beyond the financial penalty, Tabcorp has entered into a comprehensive enforceable undertaking, requiring the company to review its systems and processes for closing betting on tennis events and to provide regular reports to the ACMA.
The regulator warned that any further non‑compliance could lead to Federal Court proceedings.
